Navaratri golu decoration ideas


       Dasavatharam list | Dasavatharam order
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 the order is 
Matsya ( Fish )
Kurma ( Tortoise )
Varaha ( Boar )
Narasimha ( half lion )
Vamana ( small man )
Parasurama ( holds an axe )
Rama ( holds a bow ) 
Balarama ( holds a plough )
Krishna
Kalki ( this Avatar depends upon the imagination of the makers )

Aarupadai veedu list | Aarupadai veedu order
The first picture shows Thiruparankundram , Thiruchendur,  Palani 

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The second picture shows Palani, Swamimalai, Thiruthani and Pazhamudhircholai

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Thiruparankundaram ( Devyanai wedding )
Thiruchendur ( Soora samharam ,  doll identified with vajra hastam in the hand )
Palani ( very popular Murugan temple can be identified from the alankaram )
Swami Malai ( Murugan gave Upadesa to Father on the Pranava Mantra OM )
Thiruthani  ( Can be identified by the flag )
Pazhamudhircholai ( With His Consorts Valli and Devyanai ,  can be identified by the garlands on the necks )

Ashtalakshmi order for golu 
AdhiLakshmi
DhanyaLakshmi
DhairyaLakshmi
GajaLakshmi
SantanaLakshmi
VijyaLakshmi
VidyaLakshmi
DhanaLakshmi

Rangoli on water | Floating rangoli | Navratri rangoli Diwali special
At the base of the steps, we follow different types of decoration , parks as an extension of the golu or innovative rangoli designs or traditional kolam.
While rangoli on water is itself an innovative method of decoration in which we use rice flour ( rice flour is sprayed on the water and since it it is less dense than water it floats on it , on this surface we draw rangoli with colours ) ,  I have tried a different and creative idea for making the rangoli which I sure is very simple and easy.
Solvent based glass colours are available in arts and crafts shops. After adding water to a plate
solvent based glass colours are sprinkled on water , we can use a single colour or more than one colour.

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The glass colours form a thin film on the water and we can see colourful spots here and there forming a pattern.  On this we can draw our regular rangoli using white rangoli powder

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It is such a beautiful idea and gives an excellent ambience to the golu when placed at the base of the centre.  We can have this one side, then a traditional kolam at the centrre and a kundan rangoli at the right.  Since there is lot of space at the base , we can have two or three different types of rangoli for decoration.
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Place diyas on four sides of the plate and it doubles up as a Diwali decoration.  Do not place the diyas on the rangoli , the film cannot withstand it and will get damaged.
Next is the traditional method.
Fill a vessel with water
Add rice flour ,  it forms a layer on water

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Now we can draw rangoli easily on water

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Place before the  kolu.  If not disturbed it remains for the entire nine days of Navarathri vizha

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The first day of  Navratri I drew the auspicious Hridaya Kamal or lotus rangoli and the Aishwarya kolam with kavi border before the golu ( kolu )

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The second day kolu kolam in the image below

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This rangoli has been drawn with CD and  bangles.  An innovative design.  The swastik symbol is used for Pooja room.  Navratri kolu is like or Pooja room for 9 days and we should maintain the same sanctity we adopt for our Pooja room so  this symbol is used here.

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Traditional padi kolam | Decorate with kaavi 
This is the most common and traditional method of decorating the golu , at the base of the steps or at the entrance we can have a traditional padi kolam.

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Navarathri golu kolam ideas 

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The images above show the steps for the kolam.  Usually we use 2,4, or 6 lines for the patterns.  2 and 4 are used commonly because 6 may make it a little big.  After forming the square pattern with 4 lines .  Mark the parallel lines on the four corners as shown in the second image.  Connect them curved lines .  The gaps are filled with lines and patterns to complete the kolam.  Spirals and bullets serve as extensions and add up as decorations.
What ever the size of the Navarathri golu , 3, 5,7 or 9 the tradition is being followed by many .  At least a few dolls and kalasam are placed  in minimum three steps if  constraints in space are there.